Obama urges Paterson to quit governor race, report says

The president's request is prompted by fears that the unpopular New York governor would be a liability to Democrats, according to the New York Times.

President Obama is urging embattled New York Gov. David Paterson not to seek a full term, according to a published report Saturday.

Obama's action apparently was prompted by fears that the unpopular governor could prove a liability to other Democrats running for Congress or the state Legislature next fall, according to the New York Times.

The newspaper credited two senior administration officials and a New York Democratic operative for the information, but did not name them.

The Times said the president's request was passed on to Paterson by Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, a Democrat from Queens, who has a strong relationship with the governor.